Drinking Water Overview

Water Catchments

Our drinking water comes from the Rocky Creek dam, Emigrant Creek dam, Marom Creek weir and the Wilsons River.  These water sources are located in several catchments in the Northern Rivers.

A CATCHMENT IS AN AREA THAT FEEDS WATER TO A CREEK, RIVER OR OTHER WATER BODY.  CATCHMENTS PROVIDING OUR WATER ARE:

• Rocky Creek catchment
• Wilsons River catchment
• Emigrant Creek catchment
• Marom Creek

For more information about local water catchments go to the Rous Water website.

Visit Rous County Council Water website

Water Loss

One of Ballina Shire Council’s priorities is managing leaking and broken pipes to ensure we minimise our water loss.

Council has a Pressure Leakage Management Plan that allows us to monitor and control our underground water supply network to reduce our water loss. 

• Pressure Leakage and Management Plan
  
  

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Water loss can also occur on your property.

You can check your own water loss by turning off all your taps and appliances and simply reading your water meter. If the numbers on your meter change, call a licensed plumber.

• Click here to learn how to read your water meter 
  
  

Call us on 6686 1497 if you see a water leak or mains break. 

If you have a sudden reduction in pressure please check that any isolation valves are fully turned on. This may include your water meter valve and hot water valve.

trouble shooting

Save Water at Home

Conserving water is good for the environment and will also save you money.

Where we use water in our homes: 

EASY WAYS TO USE LESS WATER

• make sure you have a full load before turning on your dishwasher or washing machine
• wash fruit and vegies in the sink, or in a bowl of water, and then throw the water on the garden
• turn off the tap while you are cleaning your teeth
• connect your toilet, washing machine and outdoor tap to Council’s high quality recycled water.

  CHECK FOR LEAKING PIPES

• near the hot water unit
• near the washing machine
• near the dishwasher
• under the floor
• above the ceiling

  CHECK FOR LEAKING TAPS AND TOILETS

• a leaking tap can waste up to 2,000 litres of water every month
• to check to see if your toilet is leaking place a sheet of paper at the back of the bowl - if it remains dry between flushes you do not have a leak.

  INSTALL WATER EFFICIENT PRODUCTS SUCH AS

• 3 star water efficient taps
• flow-regulating aerators in taps
• 3 star water efficient showerheads

When you need to replace your old appliances make sure you choose models that are water and energy efficient and watch your water bills go down.

how much water can you save?
Shower 8 minutes	normal showerhead uses 120 litres
	water efficient showerhead uses 70 litres
Toilet	single flush uses 12 litres
	dual flush uses 3-6 litres
Washing Machine	top loader uses 170 litres
	front loader uses 80 litres

Save Water in the Garden

  CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANTS AND SOIL

• water the base of your plants, not the leaves
• mulch the gardens to reduce moisture and water loss
• plant natives or drought tolerant species
• if you must water the garden the best times are early in the morning or late afternoon
• hosing can use up to 20 litres a minute.

  CHECK YOUR WATER METER

Turn off all your taps and check your water meter.  If the numbers are still turning you could have a leak.  If you don’t know where your water meter is, call us on 6686 4444.

  MAINTAIN YOUR POOL

• buy a cover for your pool to reduce evaporation
• keep the water level of your pool halfway up the skimmer. 

  MAINTAIN YOUR PROPERTY

• wash your car on the lawn
• use a broom, rake or outdoor blower to remove dust and leaves
• check your outdoor taps for leaks.

  INSTALL A RAINWATER TANK OR CONNECT TO RECYCLED WATER

• rainwater tanks capture rainwater from your roof which can be used around your garden, or in the home for a toilet or washing machine
• recycled water has been treated to a high standard at a wastewater treatment plant to remove impurities and is able to be reused in the garden and for a toilet or washing machine.

To find out more about claiming a rainwater rebate, contact Rous County Council on 6623 3800 or visit their website.

Claim a rainwater tank rebate

Save Water at Work

  UNDERSTAND YOUR WATER USE

• read meters daily to make sure you don’t have undetected leaks
• benchmark your water use to compare your results with other businesses

  FIX LEAKS

• check for leaks in taps, pipes, hoses, toilets and urinals.

  INSTALL WATER EFFICIENT DEVICES

• 3 star flow restrictors on taps and showers will save water and reduce splashing
• replace single flush toilets with dual flush models.

  IMPLEMENT WATER EFFICIENT PROCESSES

• mop floors instead of hosing
• ask staff to wash dishes in a sink instead of under a running tap
• could you install your own wastewater treatment system for long-term savings?

Water Restrictions

Water restrictions are required during times of dry weather and low rainfall.

Rous County Council, the regional bulk water supply authority, notifies councils to implement water restrictions when the level of Rocky Creek dam drops to 60%.

• Drought Management Plan
  
  

View current water restrictions

Rous County Council 

Rous County Council is the regional bulk water supply authority in the Northern Rivers and provides drinking water for most of the residents of the Ballina, Lismore, Byron and Richmond Valley shires from Rocky Creek Dam, Emigrant Creek Dam and the Wilsons River.

Rous County Council provides water to local reservoirs in the Ballina Shire. Ballina Shire Council is responsible for distributing the water to homes and businesses. The exceptions are Wardell and Meerschaum Vale, which are supplied from Marom Creek Weir. The supply to these areas is wholly managed by Ballina Shire Council.

For more information go to Rous County Council

Fluoride

Fluoride is added to the Ballina Shire drinking water supply under strict standards prescribed by NSW Health. Scientists and governments around the world support water fluoridation as a safe and reliable way to prevent dental decay.

Read the factsheet on fluoridation of Council's water supply

HOW IS FLUORIDE ADDED TO OUR DRINKING WATER?

Fluoride is added to Ballina Shire’s drinking water at several locations:

• Ballina Shire Council operates a fluoride plant at Marom Creek.  This services the Meerschaum Vale and Wardell communities.
• Rous County Council operates fluoride plants at Clunes, Knockrow, Dorroughby and Corndale.  These plants supply fluoridated water to the rest of the Ballina Shire and residents of Lismore, and Richmond Valley.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FLUORIDE 

• NSW Health
• Rous County Council